𝙿𝙾𝙻𝚈𝙰𝙼𝙾𝚁𝚈 (𝚂𝚂) : 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝚆𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 | 𝚁𝙷𝙴𝙰 (𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝚇)
CHAPTER 4
*
"Rhea, magkano trabaho mo ngayon?" Tanong ni Pax, kakatapos lang ng trabaho namin at ngayon naghihintay kay Bea makalabas para sabay na kaming tatlo umuwi.
"Bibilhin mo trabaho ko?" Tanong ko.
"Sira hindi! Ibig ko sabihin ilan lahat trabaho mo ngayon? Napaka-slow mo masyado kapatid." Sabay iling sa kanyang ulo at tapik nang aking balikat, naging kasalanan ko pa ngayon kamalian nya? Sinagot ko lang naman ng tama.
"Restaurant sa umaga, club sa gabi? Dalawa? tumigil muna ako sa pagbabantay sa anak ng kaibigan ko at mas kailangan ako ng kapatid ko, why?" Isang himala at nagtanong siya tungkol sa trabaho ko.
"May kapatid ka?!" Gulat sya? Mukha ba akong only child.
"Ou, kasama ko sa condo." Tagal ni Bea magbihis uy.
"Single ba yun?" Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin, binabalak nya sa kapatid ko?
"Bata pa kapatid ko, nakakadiri ka Pax,"
"Hoy! Nagtanong lang-So sino nagbabantay sa kapatid mo? Iniwan mo lang sa condo? Kawawa naman yung bata." Kung papipiliin ako mas okay na maiwan sya sa condo, may tamang pagkain at walang mananakit sa kanya kaysa nong panahong kasama pa ama namin.
"Wala yun sa condo ngayon, hula ko." Sagot ko at tumango-tango.
"Huh?"
Binalingan ko ito at ngumiti. "Baka kinidnap ulit ng crush ko." Sagot ko.
"Huh?" Yawa loading sya.
Nagtataka ako, kanina ko pa talaga napapansin pero bakit may mga tao na naglalagay ng pera-"Yawaa bataa, saan mo nakuha yang lata? Kaya pala kanina pa ako may naririnig na barya, mukha ba tayong mga pulubi ha?" Kunot noo na tanong ko kay Pax,
"Wadahek?! Bakit may lata? Uy, hindi ako naglagay nyan!" Dipensa nya sa sarili ngunit kabaliktaran naman ang kinikilos ng katawan dahil itinago ang mga barya.
"Ano? Hindi ko alam na mga pulubi kayong dalawa. Sige, ipagpatuloy nyo at uuwi ako mag-isa." Biglang boses ni Bea sa aming likuran. Mukhang hindi maganda mood nito base sa kanyang ugali ngayon at ang mga kilay nitong magkasalubong.
"Tayo na Pax," Sabi ko.
"Ngek, ayaw ko sayo no at hindi tayo talo." Kumunot ang noo ko sa naging tugon nya ngunit gets ko naman kaagad.
"Wag kang feeler, tumayo ka at aalis na tayo." Mas maganda talaga kay Kris nalang ako dumikit, at least sa isang tao lang sasakit ulo ko.
"Ay ganun ba?" Wala na akong sinabi at naglakad na lang patungo kay Bea,
Naglalakad-lakad kami nang bigla mag-aya si Pax na kung pwede dumaan muna kami ng mall dahil may bibilhin itong damit. Tumanggi ako, sinabi kong hinihintay na ako ni Lilith pero itong si Bea ay hindi ako pinakawalan at kinaladkad nilang dalawa. Buang, kanina badtrip tapos ngayon biglang na excite?
"Bea, kailangan ko na nga umuwi kasi naghihintay kapatid ko. Akala ko ba badtrip ka? Bakit pati ako kailangan mo isama?" Saway ko kay Bea at pilit inaalis ang kamay ngunit sobrang kapit nya.
"Wag ka mag-alala at kasama non si Aza, saglit lang tayo at may gusto rin akong kumpermahin." Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay, sinabi ko ba sa kanya ang tungkol kay Lilith at Aza?
"Hays, sige pero bilisan natin ha." Wala na akong nagawa at sumabay na lang din sa kanilang dalawa.
Kanina pa ako sunod nang sunod ngunit hindi ko alam kung saan kami balak dalhin ni Bea, halos isang oras na kaming paikot-ikot sa loob ng mall pero mukhang may hinahanap talaga siya.
"Bea, nagpunta tayo rito dahil may gusto akong bilhin. Bakit pati ako sumama?" Reklamo ni Pax,
"Hindi kita pinilit sumama, ikaw ang nag kusa kaya manahimik ka kung ayaw mong sampalin kita." Sagot ni Bea at tuloy-tuloy ang lakad hanggang sa mukhang nahanap na nito ang kanina pa hinahanap.
"Dito! Dito dali!" Halos madapa na ako sa paghatak nito ng malakas papasok ng isang restaurant? Pero bakit nandito kami? Yawa, gusto niya ba magpa-libre? Wala nga akong pere!
"Bea, gi atay bataa! Bakit nandito tayo? Mukhang mahal dito at wala akong pera!" Diin kong bulong ngunit isang siko ang natanggap ko.
"Hindi! Basta, wait lang tayo ng ilang segundo at may susulpot." Pisti, ano ba pinagsasabi nito?
Bigla ay nakaramdam ako ng panlalamig at tila may nakamasid sa akin na mga, kaagad ko inilibot ang paningin sa paligid ngunit hindi nag tagal ay may nakita akong babaeng naglalakad palapit sa kung saan kami nakatayo ng mga kaibigan.
☆
Amour Monroe
Oh my, that woman hasn't changed at all. I've been waiting for her for over an hour now, and she still hasn't shown up. If I had known it would be like this, I should have just worked on my case instead. I set down my coffee cup and opened my laptop. She told me that we needed to discuss something important, so she wanted to meet in person, but I'm still wondering why she hasn't arrived yet?
"Apologies for being late. I had to finish a filming session. Initially, I wasn't intended to play the lead actress, but Thalia entrusted me with this important role, which means I must do my best to prove that I deserve it, don't you think?"
"Did I ask?" I gave a sarcastic response, even though I didn't ask for a reason in the first place. I was about to start my work when the woman I've been waiting for finally arrived. She didn't seem to care how long I had to wait, and her face didn't show any signs of being sorry. I sighed and closed my laptop, signaling for her to sit down.
"You didn't? But given that you often have anger issues with me, it's just right for me to provide an explanation in advance so that you don't get angry because I'm late for our meeting." I don't want to prolong our argument any longer, so I only gave her a disapproving look.
"Sure, that may have been true in the past, but not anymore. I don't care about what you do anymore and as for your assumption that I still have feelings for you until now, you're mistaken." She didn't like what I said because her face suddenly became serious.
"Why? Have you found a new woman? Are you sure you're not just using her to forget about me?" She's very self-absorbed, which leads to constant disagreement on various matters. This behavior is why our relationship didn't work out, and she suddenly left me alone when she found out about my fiance, who was arranged by my father. We haven't seen each other for months, and now we've reunited because of Rhea. I wonder what her reason is for wanting to talk to me again.
"Emilie, there's no longer anything between us, so I have no reason to discuss my life or current relationship with you. Can you please get straight to the point?" I was surprised when she suddenly revealed that Rhea is her spouse. She probably thought it would upset me, but it didn't. I also didn't anticipate that they knew each other. What's going on between them?
"I missed you." My ears tingled upon hearing what she said. I gulped down the lump in my throat, unsure of what to say, and felt a sharp twinge in my chest. Dammit, why is she treating me this way after everything she's done? Is it really that easy for her to say those words?
"Amour, please..."
"So, You're saying you want us to get back together?"
"Yes." Out of nowhere, she gently held my hand and smiled sweetly. I won't allow myself to get hurt by her again, and if I were to fall for her once more, there's a worry that she might leave me just as easily as before. I'm not a mere plaything to be easily abandoned and then picked up again at her convenience.
"No." I replied.
I quickly withdrew my hand and glanced outside the restaurant. A familiar woman caught my eye from a distance. Even from afar, I easily recognized her due to her noticeable height and attractive face. However, she wasn't alone... She was accompanied by two other women, seemingly her friends.
"Why? Have you completely moved on from me? Is it because of Rhea? Is she your new plaything in bed?" My eyebrow raised automatically, and my expression turned blank as I made eye contact with her.
"As I've already said, there's no reason for me to discuss what's going on in my life with you. Ever since you left me, I've also shut off my feelings for you. I'm not a toy that you can leave and come back to whenever it suits you." I replied coolly, keeping my gaze fixed on Rhea who was now entering the restaurant. She must have sensed that someone was watching her, as she was glancing around curiously until our eyes met. Without a moment's notice, I stood up and gathered my belongings.
"Wait, where are you-"
"I will meet the person whom you claim as your spouse." I said and went straight to where Rhea was. Are you planning to use Rhea against me? I won't allow you to manipulate someone's feelings again.
As I was getting closer to Rhea, Emilie suddenly interrupted me by calling out to her and wrapping her arm around Rhea's arm, which made me stop walking. As Rhea noticed Emilie's unexpected appearance, a mix of surprise and shock crossed her face. It was clear that neither of them had anticipated this encounter. Standing in front of them, I remained silent... observing the interaction between the two.
"Emilie? Amour? Wait, magkasama kayong dalawa?"
"No." I replied.
"Hey, It's nice to see you again, and I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the last time we met." I couldn't help but scoff when Emilie suddenly started to apologize to Rhea. Not once in our relationship had she ever sincerely apologized to me, and now she's expressing herself like this? Is she really desperate to win over Rhea?
"Ha? Sus, ayos lang yun at isa pa single ako."
"I knew it." My eyebrow raised automatically when I noticed Emilie's covert glance in my direction and the secret smile she flashed before returning her attention to Rhea,
After noticing Emilie's secret glance and smile, I remained silent and turned away from them, continuing to walk away. I chose not to speak at that moment, knowing that I needed to sort myself out first. I didn't want any more regrets in my decisions. Perhaps Rhea was puzzled by my behavior, as I usually wasn't like this around her.
-
Upon returning to the hospital, I was surprised to find an unexpected visitor in my office-my cousin, Kate.
"Where have you been? I've been trying to call you, but you didn't answer. I even asked your secretary, but she said you didn't tell her where you were going either." She asked, but I wasn't in the mood to explain myself to her.
"What's up?"
"I met up with Emilie,"
"Arleth's sister?" I nodded,
"Wait, isn't she your girlfriend?" I looked at her and heaved a sigh.
"We broke up. She left me because I mentioned that my father introduced me to someone else as my fiancé."
"Oh."
"Oh? Seriously?" I didn't want to get upset, but I also didn't expect her reaction to be like this.
"What? What kind of reaction did you expect from me? Should I be sad for you? Why would I be sad if she was the one who ended your relationship? Why worry when you have a bunch of other people interested in you?" Kate asked with a mixture of curiosity and puzzlement.
"I do know, but something happened that I didn't anticipate. Emilie ended up meeting someone I know, and now she's trying to use that person against me. That's why I ended up getting back in touch with her." I explained, my voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and surprise.
"Huh? Who?"
"Here, let me show you something." I briskly grabbed my phone and quickly brought up a photo of Rhea that I had discovered on her social media. Kate furrowed her brows and scrutinized the photo intently before snapping back to reality and looking at me with a bewildered expression.
"Amour, are you referring to Rhea?" Kate asked, now looking even more puzzled and intrigued.
I nodded in confirmation, and after a moment of realization, I was taken aback by her statement. "Do you know Rhea? How do you know her?" I asked, seeking clarification.
Kate's eyes widened in surprise as she connected the dots, "Rhea is my wife's best friend. Of all the people you could have met, it's surprising that you ended up meeting my wife's best friend."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yes."
"Great."
"Great? Have you forgotten? Emilie is Arleth's sister." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes upon realizing that Kris was also Arleth's wife.
"Well, It's not just you and Emilie who are captivated by Rhea. Even Olivia's sister is interested in her. Did you know that Rhea has a sibling? You're getting left behind because her sister has become quite close to Azalea Turner," Kate's tone carried a slight teasing undertone, but I chose to ignore it and moved on with the conversation.
"Hold on a moment. Whatever you're thinking about, I have no intention of pursuing it. Let's end our conversation, and I have a meeting to attend to." I replied.
Right now, I need to focus on my work first, and I'll consider what steps to take next at a later time.
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for joining this meeting. We will be discussing the case of a pregnant patient who is currently experiencing some complications." The discussion started as soon as I entered the room, realizing that everyone had been waiting for me. I quickly made my way to my seat and placed my laptop and cellphone down on the desk.
"The patient is currently 22 weeks pregnant. She has been experiencing mild cramping and spotting for the pqst few days. We've conducted an ultrasound and observed that the baby is measuring a bit smaller than expected for her gestational age. Her blood work also shows a low platelet count."
"Wait, who is the patient?" I asked.
"Mrs, Cindy."
"Ah right. Okay, given these findings it's crucial that we closely monitor her and the baby's health. We need to determine if her symptoms are indicative of a serious condition. Also, consider performing further tests to rule out any underlying causes for the decreased fetal growth and the low platelet count. In the meantime, I'll advise her to rest and avoid any physical exertion that could put additional strain on her body and tell her to closely monitor her symptoms and inform us immediately if they worsen-"
I was engaged in conversation with my coworkers when suddenly my phone rang, causing me to pause mid-sentence. Ordinarily. I would've ignored the call, as it wqs from an unknown number, but my curiosity got the better of me as this was the first time I had received a call from an unfamiliar number. I considered picking up the call, but my father was nearby so I decided to decline it. To my surprise, a message appeared shortly afterward. My eyebrow lifted as I saw that the sender was none other than Rhea.
0995*******
Hello? Hello? Miss Amour? Rhea here.
"Amour?"
"Yes?"
"Can't you put your phone away? This meeting is important, and Cindy is one of our VIP clients." My father interjected, reminding me to focus on the ongoing meeting.
"K, just consult other specialists if necessary- the fetal medicine specialist or a hematologist, to get their input on the case and to ensure the best care for the patient and her baby." I responded to my father, unable to hide the hint of annoyance in my tone.
"I'm done." I said, adding an excuse. "If possible, please excuse me. There's an important call I missed." I spoke firmly and met my father's sharp gaze with a serious expression before walking out of the room, clutching my phone.
I dialed Rhea's number, and she immediately picked up the call.
"Yes, dear?" I couldn't help but respond with a teasing tone.
"Ma'am magpapa take-out ka raw?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, puzzled by what she had just said.
"Huh?"
"Anong ha? Sabi ni Bea may gusto ka ipa take-out at deliver sa akin na food mula rito sa restaurant na pinanggalingan mo?"
"Just who the hell is Bea?" I pondered, confused by her mention of a takeout food order.
"Nyawa ba, tripan siguro ko nimo ma'am? Paano mo hindi kilala si Bea kung ikaw nag utos sa kanya? Siya pa nga nag bigay ng number mo dahil sabi niya kontakin kita." My confusion deepened as I struggled to make sense of the words she was saying. I wanted nothing more than to go home and rest, but suddenly, my stomach rumbled... reminding me that I hadn't eaten since earlier at the restaurant.
"Forget about the takeout, and meet me instead. Where are you?"
She mentioned that she was currently with two friends and that Emilie had already left when I was gone. I asked her to meet with me, and that she could bring her two friends along.
☆
Rhea
Pistiha lage ba, sinungaling talaga si Bea, ni hindi nga siya kilala ni Amour tapos sabi inutusan siyang sabihan ako? Paano yun? Buang man siguro bayhana at paano niya nalaman number ni Amour? Magic? Wow! Magic!
Nandito ako, kasalukuyan naglalakad patungo sa lugar kung saan kami magkikita ni Amour. Hindi ko rin alam bakit pumayag ako makipagkita sa kanya knowing hinihintay ako ng kapatid ko. Si Bea naman kasi, bakit hindi nalang siya at pinilit pa ako kanina tumawag.
"Yawa ulan! Kanina pa o umiikot sa lugar pero hindi ko parin mahanap yung pwesto!" Dahil sa lumalakas na ang ulan ay napagpasyahan kong sumilong muna sa labas ng coffee shop na ang pangalan ay barako? Amoy na amoy ko mula rito sa labas ah!
"Tambay nalang muna ako, di naman siguro mahal kape nila rito?" Tanong ko sa sarili at papasok na sana nang biglang may bumangga sa akin. Mumurahin ko sana ngunit paglingon ko ay sina Pax at Bea pala, bakit sumunod sila?
"Pisti, sinusundan nyo ba ako?" Tanong ko at sabay silang tumango. Actually sabi ni Amour dalhin sila pero ayaw ko isipin nila may namamagitan sa amin kaya hindi ko sila isinama kaso sumunod ang mga baliw.
"Ano gagawin mo sa loob?" Tanong ni Pax,
"Matutulog-tanga ano pa ba? Edi bibili ng kape." Sagot ko at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad kasunod sila.
Itutulak ko na sana ang glass door nang biglang magsalita si Bea, "Kung ako sayo Rhea titingin ako sa harapan at hindi kay Pax," Yun ang kanyang sinabi ngunit huli na dahil pagbukas ko ay may nakasalubong akong lalaki at natapon ang kape nito sa kanyang damit.
"SHIT!" Bulyaw sa akin nong lalaki at pinahid ang mantsa ng kape sa kanyang maputing polo.
"Diba? Sabi sayo eh." Amused pa si Bea nyan samantalang ako kinakabahan dahil mukhang mamahalin ang damit!
"Sorry boss, hindi ko sinasadya." Pahingi ko ng tawad at inabot sa kanya ang nag-iisa kong panyo ngunit hindi niya ito ginamit, itinapon nya sa sahig.
"Hindi mo ba alam kakabili lang ng damit ko?!"
"Hindi, paano ko malalaman? Ngayon lang tayo nagkakilala-ay diba ikaw yung lalaki ni Amour?" Sino nga ba to? Sya yung pinakilalang fiance ng ama ni Amour,
"You?! That poor delivery woman?" Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay, alam kong mahirap ako at bakit pa niya kailangan ipagsigawan? Marami tuloy nakarinig na mga customers.
"Poor ka raw Rhea? Same tayo poor pero kailangan talaga idiin sayo no?" Hindi ko alam kung tinutulungan ako ni Pax o mas lalong ininsulto. "Sino pala yan?" Sunod nitong tanong.
Umiling ako. "Hindi ko rin kilala." Sabi ko.
"Ngek."
"Boss, sorry kung nadumihan damit mo? Magkano po ba yan at babayaran ko?" Magalang ako niyan ha habang dinudukot ang bente sa aking bulsa at inabot sa kanya. Hindi ito nagustuhan ng lalaki dahil para sa kanya ay pinagtitripan ko lamang ito. Well, totoo naman pero konti lang.
"Iniinsulto mo ba 'ko? Mas mahal pa damit ko sa pagkatao mo." Wawers, sakit naman gumanti ni dodong.
"Hindi kita iniinsulto boss, pero kung sa tingin mo pang-iinsulto yun ay wala na akong magagawa." Magalang parin akong sumagot at tumango, si Bea at Pax naririnig ko ang mahihinang mga tawanan sa aking likuran.
Babawiin ko sana ang bente total ayaw tanggapin nong lalaki ni Amour, ngunit bigla niya itong marahas na hinablot sa aking kamay kaya napunit at ibinato sa aking mukha. Ako ay bilang natulala sa mabilisang pangyayari, sayang ang bente?!
"Hindi ko kailangan ng pera mong MARUMI." Lihim kong naikuyom ang kamao at pilit parin ngumiti, ayaw ko sirain ang gabi ko. Kapag ako hindi nakapagpigil sisirain ko mukha nito.
Bigla ay hinila ako ni Bea kaya nagulat ako, pero ang mas ikinagulat ko ay ang perang lumipad sa mukha ng lalaki, pagbaba ko ng paningin ay nakita ko ang makapal na pera na tig isang libo. Yawa, sino nagtapon ng pera sa kanyang mukha? Paglingon ko sa aming likuran ay nakita ko ang babaeng ayaw ko na talaga sana makita sa buong buhay ko, si Ines.
Gi.atay police pa siya nyan ha? Tapos nambabato ng pera sa mukha.
"What the fuck?" hindi makapaniwala na salita ng lalaki at naguguluhan kung bakit siya binato ng dalaga. "Who the fuck are you? bakit ka nakikisali sa amin?" tanong nito.
"If someone throws money at you, it's only fair to throw it back at them, but make sure to return 10 times the amount." Hindi ito sinagot ni Ines sa halip ay sa akin nakatingin.
"Sasabihin ko sayo, hindi ako ang nauna kaya kung binabalak mong dakpin nanaman ako ay mag imbestiga ka muna." Inunahan ko na at baka posasan ulit ako bigla.
"Do you really think I would do something like that? In fact, I could even be sued for throwing money at him. However, I only did it to return the favor for what he had done to you." Paliwanag ni Ines at humakbang palapit sa akin, wawers kailan pa sya concern sa suki niyang dakpin?
"Rhea! Rhea!" Makaalog si Pax parang matatanggal ulo ko.
"Ano?" Baling ko.
"Tangina ang ganda! Sino yan?" Kulang nalang isigaw niya, bumubulong pa naririnig din naman ng iba.
"Bibig mo, pulis yan. Mag iingat ka at nanghuhuli ng gwapong mga babae yan." Babala ko ngunit biglang tumaas ang kilay ni Ines.
"Bakit? Totoo naman?" Dagdag ko pa at inikutan ako ng mga mata.
"Baka nakakalimutan mong nandito pa ako?" Biglang singit nong lalaki ni Amour, nyawa nandito pa pala.
"Pwede ka naman umalis kung tapos ka na?" Sagot ko.
"Look-"
"Could you please move to the side and stop blocking the way? You're becoming an inconvenience to other customers." Pambabara ni Ines sa lalaki, hindi niya maitago ang inis sa sobrang pula ng mukha.
"Hindi pa tayo tapos." Galit na baling nito sa akin at itinuro.
"Tapos na, aalis ka na diba?" Sagot ko na mas lalong ikinagalit nito.
"Move?" Taboy ulit ni Ines,
Siguro dahil sa maraming tao nakakakita ay mas minabuti nalang umalis nito para hindi na lalo mapahiya. Napansin ko na naiwan ang pera at hindi dinala, sabagay at mayaman naman siya.
"Hoy, pera oh." Bulong ni Pax sabay senyas sa perang nasa sahig. Pinulot ko ito at ibinalik kay Ines, hindi na niya kailangan gawin yun pero nagpapasalamat parin ako sa pagtanggol niya kahit kaya ko naman labanan yun.
"What?"
"Pera mo? Sayang." Sabi ko.
"You're the one who picked it up. It's your money now." Sagot niya at naglakad na papasok, ako na tulala parin sa kanyang sinabi. Ang dami nitong pera? Legit akin na to?
"Ayaw mo? Amin nalang." Nasa malalim pa akong pag-iisip nang bigla hinablot ni Pax ang pera.
"Hoy!"
"Ano?"
"Loko ka Pax, akin yan tapos wala akong makukuha? Hatiin mo sa tatlo yan." Malaki rin yung halaga, dapat meron kami ni Bea,
"Susu, pakipot pa tatanggapin din pala." Sabi niya, hindi ko naman sinabing ayaw ko?!
"Tara na at gusto ko na magkape! Lamig na lamig na ako." Sabi ko sa dalawa at sumunod na rin sa pagpasok. Nakita ko kaagad si Ines, doon siya naka puwesto sa bandang gilid at kami nasa gitna dahil ito nalang ang natitirang bakante.
"Ano po order nyo?"
"Ah, dalhan mo kami ng pinakamahal nyong kape." Wala ako magawa kundi ang matulala sa naging asta ni Pax, nyawa.
"Sure ka hoy?" Siko ni Bea sa kanya.
"Ou? Ano ka ba! May pera tayo diba?" Napahilamos ako ng mukha sa sinabi ni Pax,
"O sige, yun nalang din akin. Ikaw Rhea?" Wala na akong masabi, umiling nalang at sinabing same nalang din order ko.
Palakas nang palakas ang ulan, hindi ko alam kung matutuloy pa ba meet up namin ni Amour. Habang naghihintay ay kanina pa panay kulit ng tanong si Pax sa akin tungkol kay Ines,
"Pax, kanina ka pa. Kung ikaw nalang kaya lumapit sa kanya at tanungin mo ng diretso?" Makakita lang ng maganda nababaliw na.
"Rhea naman!"
"Manahimik ka nga!" Tinakpan ni Bea ang bibig ni Pax dahil sa kanina pa nga ito panay ang kulit sa akin.
"Stalker mo siguro yan Rhea," Ayaw talaga paawat nito.
"Baka." Segunda ni Bea, bakit ba sinasakyan niya minsan si Pax sa mga ganyan?
"Alam mo, kung maging kayo mag-iingat ka palagi. May napanood akong balita noon, nagselos yung babae at pulis din. Alam mo ginawa niya? Pinaulanan nya ng bala kasintahan niya." Kwento ni Pax sa amin,
"Gago? Buhay pa ba?" Tanong ko.
"Ou buhay, hindi siya tinatamaan ng bala e."
"Gago, sayang." Pailing-iling kong saad.
Napansin ko na nakatutok ang camera ni Pax kay Ines kaya agad kong hinablot ang selpon nito, tama nga ako at kinunan niya ito ng naka zoom na litrato. "Tsk, privacy Pax," sabi ko.
"Hello? Nasa public siya kaya di na uso yun." Yawa talaga. "Pero aminin mo, ang ganda diba?" Sabay ngisi, taas baba ng mga kilay at pinakita sa akin muli ang litrato. Hindi na ako umangal at totoo naman maganda si Ines, kung hindi lang ba siya tanga manghuli edi sana tropa kami now.
"Nagpasalamat ka ba sa kanya kanina?" Tanong ni Bea,
"Hindi pa."
"Mag pasalamat ka!" Bigla itong tumayo at hinila ako ng sapilitan patungo sa table ni Ines tapos iniwan din kaagad.
"What?"
Napakamot ako ng ulo. "Gusto ko lang sana ma-" Hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil sa biglaan pagtunog ng aking sepon. Pagtingin ko ay tumatawag si Azalea, "Excuse me, sagutin ko lang." Sabi ko kay Ines at sinagot ang tawag sa harap nito.
"Aza?"
"Where are you? Hinahanap ka na ni Lilith, malakas ang ulan. Wala ka ba masasakyan? ipapasundo kita." Lihim kong sinampan ang pisngi, tanga at nakalimutan ko si Lilith na kasama niya.
"A-Ano, wag na at uuwi rin ako pag humina konti ulan." Sagot ko.
"Are you sure?" Tumango-tango ako kahit hindi naman ako nito nakikita.
"Ou."
"Okay, nandito kami sa penthouse."
"Okay sige, salamat." Sagot ko at pinatay ang tawag, feeling ko tuloy nagmumukha akong cheater kahit wala naman akong totoong ka relasyon yawa.
"What you were saying?" Tanong ni Ines,
"Ano, sabi ko gusto ko sana-" Pisting yawa, sino na naman tongtumatawagg?! Pakla akong ngumiti nang makita ang caller, si Emilie.
"W-Wait lang, sagutin ko lang ulit baka importante." Excuse kong muli. "Hello? Emilie?" Sagot ko.
"Rhea? Are you home yet? It's raining heavily." Tanong sa kabilang linya.
"Hindi pa, stranded nga kasi malakas ulan pero nasa isang coffee shop ako nakikisilong." Sagot ko at lihim sinulyapan si Ines na tahimik umiinom ng kape.
"Be careful on your way home, okay? I'm sorry I left abruptly earlier as I had an important event to attend to."
"Ayos lang, sige ingat ka rin." Sagot ko at nagpaalam sa kanya. Bakit dinadagsa ako ng mga tawag ngayon?
"I'm sorry ulit, daming tumatawag e." Paghingi ko ng paumanhin kay Ines ngunit hindi ako nito sinagot o pinansin man lang.
"Ma'am, tungkol kanina... gusto ko sana sabihin sayo na malaki ang-" Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at napapikit ng mga mata, may tumatawag nanaman ba?!
"It looks like you have many people who care for you, with so many calls coming in. Can't you finish what you want to say to me before answering those calls?" Napalunok ako dahil tila naiinis na ito sa akin base sa kanyang tono ng pananalita.
"Wait lang." Sabi ko at sinagot ang tawag.
"Amour?" Ou, siya ang sunod tumawag.
"Dear, where are you now?" Luh, akala ko di na siya tumuloy dahil sa lakas ng ulan.
"Ikaw? Akala ko hindi ka na tumuloy sa lakas ng ulan. Nandito ako sa Barako coffee shop kasama ng mga kaibigan, malakas ang ulan kaya sumilong muna kami." Sagot ko.
"The place I was referring to is just across the street." yawa, nasa tapat lang ba?
"Ha? Hindi ko alam e pasensya."
"Never mind, I'll come to you."
"Ha? Wait, sandali la-" Pastilan bayhana, pinatayan ako ng tawag.
Nabigla ako dahil si Ines biglang tumayo. "Saan ka pupunta ma'am?" Tanong ko.
"You have nothing else to say to me, is that right? I'm leaving then." Sarkastiko niyang tanong.
"Meron." Sagot ko.
"What?" Cold masyado, baka posasan ako bigla.
"Salamat." I saw her brow flinched kaya mas lalo ako napalunok ng laway.
"Salamat? That's it?" Tumango ako.
"Goodness gracious, if you just wanted to say thank you, why didn't you just say it right away? You made me wait, only to say something as simple as that?" Pastilan na talaga at mukhang inis na siya.
"Ay sorry, hindi ko sinasadya?" Sabi ko.
Saglit nagkatitigan kaming dalawa, lalim naman makatitigin nito at akala mo gigilitan ako sa leeg. "Tsk, move." Sabay kuha ng kanyang kape at umalis.
Susundan ko sana ito ngunit biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng shop at bumungad si Amour, medyo basa ang ibang parte ng kanyang katawan at damit dahil nga sa lakas ng ulan. Wala, ayaw ko na maghabol at bumalik nalang sa table namin. Basta ay nagpasalamat na ako sa kanya, kasalanan ko ba kung dami tumatawag sa akin ha.
"Nyare sa mukha mo?" Tanong ni Pax, kape lang daw pero halos mapuno bibig sa kinakain nya.
"Maganda." Sagot ko.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.", Lakas ng tawa potek.
"Tignan nyo." Turo ni Bea sa dalawa na nagkasalubong sa may entrance. Mag tititigan lang silang dalawa jan sa pinto? Magkakilala rin kaya to silang dalawa? si Ines na mismo ang una umiwas at lumabas, sunod naman si Amour na papalapit na ngayon sa amin.
"Alis na tayo." Bigla ba naman tumayo si Bea at kwenelyuhan si Pax,
"Anong alis na tayo? Kita mo kumakain pa, mahal to kaya wag mo sayangin." Paliwanag ni Pax pero under talaga siya kay Bea at hindi magawa manlaban.
"Sibat na kami." Tumango nalang ako, may pera naman sila kaya pwede silang mag taxi pauwi.
Kaagad ko kinuha ang kapeng hindi ko pa pala naiinom, papalapit nang papalapit si Amour. Teka nga, bakit ba ako kinakabahan sa kanya? Ah! Muntik ko na makalimutan, alam niya tinatago kong sekreto!
"Hi, dear... Did you miss me?" Malanding salita ni Amour at binigyan ako ng nakakaakit na ngiti bago umupo sa aking tabi at hinaplos ako sa bandang hita.
Shit, wag kang tumayo please lang!
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